SoR student membership reviewed
The Society is urging students to check whether their higher education institution (HEI) is to continue to pay their membership fees following a change in national policy.
Until now government funding has covered SoR registration fees for all radiography students. However, government policy has changed and universities may no longer be able to pay these on behalf of students.
In response, the Council of the Society of Radiographers has decided to reduce the student membership fee to £5 per month with the aim of making it affordable for students who will be paying themselves, and reducing the burden on universities paying for their students.
"We have been working hard to encourage all HEIs to continue to support their students' membership and have had really great support from them but it is inevitable that some will not be able pay SoR registrations for their students. Students who have received free membership of the Society until now should contact their HEI to find out whether they have continued provision. If not, I'm afraid individual students will now be responsible for paying their own annual subscription," said Prof Audrey Paterson, director of professional policy for the SoR.
Students affected by the change have until 31 December 2007 to register and arrange their payment, and can do this online from 1 October 2007. On qualifying, students who register at the beginning of their course will recoup almost all of their fees as they will receive three months complimentary full membership for every year of their student membership; eg if you paid for three years as a student you will get nine months complimentary full membership on qualifying.
Working with student reps, the Society has also reviewed the benefits of membership for students, adding new benefits and enhancing existing ones. The package now includes:
- A designated student officer and access to a team of professional and regional officers who can provide expert advice on educational, workplace, and personal issues.
- Professional indemnity insurance for clinical placements.
- Electronic subscriptions to Synergy News and Synergy with the opportunity to engage fully in the CPD opportunities provided in Synergy, and a dedicated student section in Synergy News. (The standard subscription for these is currently £75 per year)
- Full access to the Society's website, with dedicated sections for students and CPD Now, the Society of Radiographers web-based continuing professional development tool.
- Substantially discounted rates for attendance at conferences of the Society and College.
More information of the benefits of student membership and to register as a member are available from the student web pages or from the SoR's Membership Services' department
